Auxiliary rinse phase in a wash machine

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for cleaning articles within a chamber of a warewash machine. The warewash machine has a rinse sump for collecting a rinse agent dispensed into the chamber and a wash sump for collecting a wash agent dispensed into the chamber. The method includes a wash phase during which the wash agent is dispensed into the chamber during and an auxiliary rinse phase during which the rinse agent is dispensed into the chamber. The wash machine includes a controllable deflector for directing the wash agent to the wash sump during the wash phase and the rinse agent to the rinse sump during the auxiliary rinse phase. The method also includes a final rinse phase during which water from an external source is dispensed into the chamber. The controllable deflector direct the water dispensed during the final rinse phase to the rinse sump such that the water combines with the rinse agent therein. The rinse agent is re-used during at least one subsequent auxiliary rinse phase.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 708,684, filed Aug. 15, 2005.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention relates generally to a wash machine, and more particularly to application of an auxiliary rinse cycle therein.BACKGROUND[0003]A warewash machine is a utility dishwasher used in many restaurants, healthcare facilities and other locations to efficiently clean and sanitize cooking and eating articles, such as, dishes, pots, pans, utensils and other cooking equipment. Articles are placed on a rack and provided to a wash chamber of the warewash machine. In the chamber, cleaning products and rinse agents are applied to the articles during a cleaning process, which includes a wash phase and a rinse phase. At least one cleaning product is applied to the articles during the wash phase. The cleaning product is typically a cleaning agent formed by dissolving one or more chemical products in water. The term c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach allows for the recycling of wash agents, reducing water and energy costs while maintaining effective sanitization, even in machines without booster heaters, by efficiently managing the wash and rinse cycles.

Problems solved by technology

However, one drawback realized when recycling these agents is the drastic loss in temperature of the agents relative to various industry-defined standards.

Unfortunately, many of the lower-end models of warewash machines, such as door-type machines, operate on standard 120 VAC, and therefore do not have the electrical capacity to employ the use of such booster heaters.

For this reason, very few conventional door-type warewash machines use recycled cleaning and rinse agents, and consequently the operators of these machines commonly incur substantial water and sewage costs.

Even so, the use of booster heaters yields considerably higher energy costs that, in most circumstances, would mitigate the savings realized by conserving water.

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